One of the biggest tests for Fiji’s 15s rugby side came against South Africa, the 1995 Rugby World Cup champions, in Pretoria, according to an article published in The Fiji Times on June 1, 1996.
The historic clash marked the first meeting between the two nations, with the hosts covering the expenses for Fiji’s South African tour.
Fiji entered the tour on the back of a successful warm-up campaign in New Zealand. The side recorded wins over Waikato (35-33), Northland (49-18) and Poverty Bay (49-4).
However, the tour was not without setbacks. New Zealand-based flanker Apisai Naevo was forced to cut short his campaign after dislocating his shoulder during a match.
He was replaced by fellow New Zealand-based forward Mark Black, a former Nadi lock who joined the team in South Africa. Black was playing for third division side South Canterbury at the time.
Following their South African assignment, Fiji played Far North before returning home.
